1996 Force 50 Dropped top cylinder...opinions?

[smoedog]

Got a free pontoon last year with a 96 force 50. It blew the adapter plate gaskets out 2 times. This year I found a couple cracks on the adapter plate and it was a little warped. I had the cracks welded and I flattened the plate out the best I could. Got it put back togeter and found out today the top cylinder dropped a ring landing. My options are now replace the top pistion (cylinders are still good, still have hash marks) and hope the plate does't blow the gaskets out again...or try to find another motor.

Replacing the piston isn't a big deal..I'm just tired of working on this motor to have the adapter plate gaskets blowing out and don't want to put the money into the pistons just for the gaskets to blow out again.

 

[gm280]

smoedog, what exsactly is blowing out the adapter plate? I mean what section of the gasket is blowing out. I attached the breakdown of your engine and looks like part number #8 is the adapter plate gasket... So how is it blowing out and is it in the same place each time?



If you had the lower section welded because of cracks, and then used a straight edge to flatten it again, I see maybe repairing the piston rings so at least you have a useable OR sellable engine if you decide to sell it off... JMHO!

 

[smoedog]

The right aft side of the motor (looking fwd) was blowing out as well as some of the internal passages. I got the boat for free and the PO told me he just had a shop replace the gaskets. I got it running fine at home with the cowl off, but once I got to the lake with the cowling on it wouldn't run. Tore the power head off and found a stripped bolt and and snapped bolt (awesome shop I guess). Helicoiled and replaced said bolts, replaced the gaskets dry. Blew out after 4 hours of running. replaced them again with gasket sealent this time thinking it would help hold the gaskets in place. Blew out again in about 4-5 hours, but not as bad, once warm it wouldn't leak exhuast but until it was warmed I would have to run without a cowl.

First time I went thru this I also noticed 2 small cracks next to the 2 forward mount holes near the crank output. This last time, I had a friend weld up the cracks and then glued some sandpaper down on a scrap peice of solid surface counter top and sanded both sides as flat as I could. It was apparent the plate was a little concave but who knows. After all that when I replaced the gaskets I used silicone gasket maker with the gaskets.

Honestly the motor runs great, hell it ran great with the top plug pulled out, on one cylinder. Im just afraid of spending 200+ dollars on replacing this piston just to have the plate blow out again. Plus the family wants a bigger motor on the pontoon anyways.